AbstractThe aim of this work is isolation of Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) extracts by using supercritical carbon dioxide, and comparison of obtained results with those of other methods of extraction. Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) was carried out with grounded Chamomile flowers in Autoclave Engineers Screening System. Experiments were performed at 10 MPa and 40ºC, as well as on 20 MPa and 40ºC. The obtained yields were 1.91 and 2.77 % respectively. In order to model the process of supercritical fluid extraction, previously derived model on the basis of secretory structures was applied on experimental results. The model described the SFE experimental results with high accuracy.

In order to compare yields obtained by supercritical extraction with those from conventional methods, additional experiments were carried out: extraction on Soxlet apparatus with 96% ethanol, and ultrasound assisted extraction, also using 96% ethanol as solvent. The yields in these experiments were 3.3 and 9.36 % respectively. The reason for higher yields is in the fact that ethanol isn’t as selective as supercritical carbon dioxide on selected operating conditions.